By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
R292 million has been spent by the government of South Africa due to the amount of repatriations that have taken place since President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled his five step plan to tackle immigration and now Home Affairs is seeking reimbursement from Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Director-General of Home Affairs Tommy Makhode had informed the portfolio committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday that the department had written to the Malawian government including the embassies of Nigeria and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), requesting that they be reimbursed for repatriating their citizens.
“We have also written to the government of Malawi and of course the embassies of Nigeria and Ethiopia, requesting a reimbursement of this cost through the Department of DIRCO” said Makhode. He noted that the department is awaiting a response from the respective governments in question.
These expenses have culminated through South Africa’s tensions with immigration after Ramaphosa had addressed the country in June when he announced his five point plan.
The plan included cabinet’s approval from June 3 which aimed at reinforcing immigration laws, securing the country’s, strengthening the immigration system, closing gaps in migration laws and policies as well as working with other African countries.
Ramaphosa also emphasised that the government would intensify the identification and deportation of undocumented foreign nationals with also increasing the inspection of employers and also observing the strengthening border security.
The response towards the strengthening of immigration policies is that there have been a spark of anti-immigration protests, including demonstrations by organisations by March and March.
These protests had called for illegal-immigrants to vacate the country which has also led to these demonstrations becoming violent. Thousands of foreign nationals have already vacated the country due to fear for their safety.
“By the end of June, this situation had become untenable in terms of the numbers, but also the humanitarian emergency that had arisen” said Makhode.
Makhode also stated that the repatriation process was a mandate that had no financial backing for the repatriation operation for Home Affairs or any other departments.
“This is an unfunded mandate as the department of home affairs and other departments that have been involved in this matter” he said. Of the R292 million spent was transport expenses which culminated in being the biggest expense for the department.
South Africa intends to use the SADC head of state seminar to address the issues that result in a constant need for citizens from other African countries to migrate to South Africa and find solutions for these citizens to have a better life in their own countries.